Havana  - Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in a commentary published Tuesday endorsed the sacking of several top officials undertaken by his brother and successor, President Raul Castro.

On Monday, Raul announced a major cabinet reshuffle including the removal of several key figures, most notably foreign minister Felipe Perez Roque and Carlos Lage, who had been secretary of the Cuban Council of Ministers.

Fidel wrote that the changes had been discussed with him in advance.

Castro, 82, retired a year ago from active leadership after more than a year out of the spotlight due to health problems.

He wrote that some of the ousted ministers had acted "dishonourably," without naming individuals. He said they had been seduced by power and ambition and were filled with illusions by external enemies.

He called the newly installed cabinet members, including some military officers, "authentic and principled revolutionaries." (dpa)